Former West Ham defender Matthew Upson has lauded Declan Rice for establishing himself in the first team at the London Stadium.

Having made his first-team debut for the club at Burnley last season, the 19-year-old has made 28 appearances over the course of the campaign since coming off the bench at Manchester United on the opening day.

Now seen as an integral part of David Moyes' team, Rice is expected to go from strength to strength over the next few years for the Hammers.

Upson, who represented the club between 2007 and 2011, is not surprised by the player's rise to the top having acted as his mentor last season.

"Terry [Westley, Academy Manager] asked me to be Declan’s mentor last season and we worked together quite closely for a year," the ex-England international told the club's official website.